Greetings to our East Catholic Family!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of spring. As always, there is much to share from your alma mater! January through April was filled with memorable moments, student achievements, and events that brought our community together in true East Catholic fashion.

We began the new year by reopening the Rev. Robert E. Saunders Gymnasium. Thanks to the generosity of so many of you, our alumni, the space now features new bleachers, flooring, wall pads, and a prominent display of our state championship banners. Donors were presented with plaques made from the original bleachers. If you contributed and haven’t yet received yours, please reach out to our Advancement Office.

Winter also brought its fair share of weather challenges, but our students and faculty handled delays and remote days with flexibility and resilience. We were thrilled to welcome the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur back to campus for their annual Feast Day Mass and Brunch. Sister Peggy, in her 57th year at East, continues to be a source of joy and wisdom.

The winter sports season was a strong one. Congratulations to Urielle Abrokwa ’26 for reaching 1,000 career points in basketball, and to Maya Fisher for setting a new school record in the 600m. Many teams made playoff runs, and a few student-athletes even advanced to nationals and state opens. Our spring teams are now off and running, literally and figuratively.

Stage East gave us a true gift this March with three fantastic performances of Shrek, the Musical. The set, costumes, music, and student talent were all outstanding. The musical was also the centerpiece of our annual Grandparents Day, a favorite tradition that brings generations together for Mass, breakfast, and a sneak peek at the show.

We also held our KAIROS retreat, Spring Fundraiser Gala, and the "Evening of Recognition," where dozens of students were honored for academic, artistic, athletic, and service achievements. We’ve launched new events as well, including “Coffee and Conversation with the President,” which offers parents a chance to connect with school leadership in a more informal setting.



This spring also marked the fourth annual “50 Days Until Graduation” luncheon, where we welcomed back Megan Russo ’14 and Andrew Kim ’11 to speak to the Class of 2025. Events like these remind us of how strong and lasting the East Catholic connection is.



Speaking of connections, we’d love to see you at this year’s 34th Annual Tom Malin Eagle Invitational Golf Tournament, taking place on Friday, June 13th at Blackledge Country Club. This year, we are proud to honor Chris Malone ’78 for his dedication and service to East Catholic. Funds raised from the tournament will go toward purchasing an LED trailer and scoreboard for our lower field. This day is always a great time to catch up with fellow alumni and friends, reconnect with faculty and staff, and enjoy some friendly competition, all while supporting our student-athletes. This is what makes East, East!

To our alumni near and far: thank you for continuing to support East Catholic with your time, talent, and treasure. You are a vital part of our school’s past, present, and future. If it’s been a while since your last visit to campus, please consider stopping by. We’d love to welcome you home.

Peace,

Sean P. Brennan, ‘85

Chief Administrator

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Annual Fund

East Catholic is thriving as a school community. We continue to send our well-prepared graduates off to excellent colleges and universities, our athletic and arts programs continue to shine, and our community finds strength in each and every member. Our $7,000,000 budget for the coming year includes a $1,000,000 Annual Appeal goal, a threshold we were able to surpass last year. I hope you will join your fellow Eagles in making a gift to our wonderful school! #WeAreEC

You can submit a donation here or contact our Advancement Office for additional ways to support the school:

https://ourschool.support/24-25ECHSAnnualAppeal

The East Eagles Endowment Fund

Support East Catholic's future! The Andreo Family will match your class's donations to the Endowment or Annual Fund up to $10,000 annually for the next five years. Double your impact and help ensure East Catholic's legacy for generations to come. See the letter below for more information, and use the QR codes or links to contribute!

Home - East Eagles Endowment OR 2024-2025 EAST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL APPEAL

Medical Professionals and Supporting Club Med

ClubMed recently welcomed Dr. Gary Italia, to speak with students about what it takes to build a diverse career in healthcare! With expertise in chiropractic, physical therapy, sports medicine, nutrition, and personal training, he shared invaluable insights. Plus, he offers shadowing and internship opportunities for students at his office nearby in Rocky Hill! ClubMed is all about connecting future healthcare heroes with professionals. If you’re in the medical field and want to inspire the next generation, reach out to news@echs.com!

Gym Grand Reopening

Now that we have officially transitioned to outdoor Spring sports, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the success of our gym renovation capital campaign this year and the grand reopening ceremony.

The Rev. Robert E. Saunders Gymnasium's grand re-opening on January 2nd marked a significant milestone for our school. After months of anticipation (and our volleyball team being MORE than flexible during construction), the revitalized space was unveiled, showcasing a remarkable transformation. The outdated 1961 bleachers were replaced with modern, vibrant seating, reflecting our school colors and offering improved stability and ease of use.

The gymnasium floor received a stunning makeover, with a resurfaced and repainted court featuring an updated center court logo. New wall pads and a fresh coat of paint brightened the entire space. Our championship banners, symbols of our athletic achievements, were carefully cleaned and re-hung in chronological order, honoring our school's legacy.

The event was a celebration of community and school spirit. Corey Manero '10 won the unique Adirondack chairs crafted from the old bleacher wood. The packed stands full of alumni, donors, and fans of our athletics witnessed exciting back-to-back varsity basketball games, with the girls and boys teams showcasing their talent. Father Matt's blessing and the welcoming speeches from Sean P. Brennan '85, Chief Administrator, and Jon Dahlquist, Dean of Athletics and Wellness, added a special touch to the occasion.

The renovation ensures a safer and more welcoming environment for all. We look forward to creating new memories in this renewed space, filled with future competitions, pep rallies, and moments of school pride.

(Note: If you supported the project through a monetary donation and were unable to attend the reopening in January, please stop by to see the space. Our Advancement Office would love to show you around and thank you with a special plaque crafted from the bleacher wood. Just a small way to thank you for being part of our past, present, and future!)

Shrek the Musical

A round of applause for the cast, crew, and pit of Shrek: The Musical! What a fun, vibrant performance of the theatrical adaptation of a favorite film!

The production was directed by Jillian Quackenbush, and the pit was conducted by David Brudz.

Mock Trial

East Catholic’s Mock Trial Team showcased their skills at the CT Mock Trial Competition held at Hartford Superior Courthouse. The team demonstrated impressive courtroom prowess, securing a win in one of the cases. Beyond the ability to develop their knowledge of the legal system, participation in mock trial helped this group to improve their advocacy skills, reasoning and thinking on their feet, and overall professionalism.

Musicians on Display!

ECCE has been called upon to sing the National Anthem at a number of events this year, including a Hartford Wolf Pack game, the Harlem Globetrotters Exhibition, and at Mohegan Sun for the CIAC Basketball State Championships. This group of vocalists is magnificently talented.

SND Mass

When East Catholic High School first opened its doors in 1961, the Sisters of Notre Dame were here to educate our students. Today, 64 years later, the charism of St. Julie Billiart is evident in every corner of our school.

In gratitude for the continued presence of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur here at East Catholic, we hosted the SNDs for Mass and brunch in February to celebrate their feast day!

Grandparents' Day

On March 6th, we welcomed over 100 incredible grandparents to East Catholic for our first Grandparents' Day since 2022. It was a joy to see generations connect, share stories, and create new memories. A huge thank you to Joan Penders, a true East Catholic legend – past faculty, past parent, Hall of Famer, member of the East Eagle Endowment Board, and current grandparent – for her moving words about the enduring spirit of our community. From breakfast and school tours to watching the dress rehearsal of Shrek: The Musical, it was a morning filled with love and Eagle pride.

Track and Field Record Breaking

At the Indoor Track and Field Class S Championships this winter, Maya Fisher '25 finished 2nd and also broke the 20-year-old school record in the 600, previously set by Megan Fish in 2005!

Women's Big East Hoops!

On Friday, March 7th, Mr. Healey and students from his UConn/ECE Contemporary Issues in Sports Course took a field trip to Mohegan Sun for a behind-the-scenes tour of what goes into putting together the Big East Tournament. The tour was led by Dave Fisher, Director of Operations for the Women’s Big East Basketball Tournament, and concluded with the opportunity to stay for a game and participate in an on-court game at halftime!

This course also had the privilege of visiting Dunkin' Park last fall, where Conor Geary '05 provided an insightful look into the daily operations of the organization.

Conor toured our students around the facilities and answered all their questions. This experiential learning opportunity allowed our students to gain valuable industry knowledge.

We appreciate Conor's time and the Yard Goats' commitment to fostering educational partnerships. Of course, our EC visitors couldn't leave without giving Conor a nostalgic ride to lunch on the little blue bus!

Girls' Basketball

For the first time since 2004, our girls basketball team made it to the finals of the State Championship at Mohegan Sun. Though not the outcome we had hoped for, the girls battled it out to the end. With this experience under their belt and only graduating 3 seniors from the team, the Eagles are hungry for another "Run to the Sun!"

The team is currently coached by Chad Malone '08.

The Class of 2029

The Class of 2029 is filling up!

Since September, we have had 207 prospective students “shadow” a current student at East! We will be welcoming a number of these visitors as Eagles next year. If you know someone who should join our community, please encourage them to experience a day with us!

Interested students can register here, and our Admissions Department will be in touch to schedule a date for the visit!

Tess Penders '19

As we continue to focus on our school year’s theme of “Love thy neighbor,” we had the pleasure of welcoming Tess Penders ‘19, a Peace Corps volunteer serving in the Dominican Republic, to speak to our Spanish classes during her holiday break. Her insights into her work as a literacy specialist were invaluable, and her dedication to serving her community was truly inspiring. We’re so proud of Tess, and even more grateful that she took the time to share all that she’s been up to post-grad!

Bradley Paul '12 and Project Purple

On April 26th, East Catholic Boys Lacrosse teamed up with Suffield High School to support Project Purple and honor the life and legacy of Bradley Paul '12, a beloved alum, athlete, and coach, who courageously battled pancreatic cancer.

Bradley was a proud 2012 graduate of East Catholic and a dedicated member of the lacrosse team. His passion for the game carried through college and, after his diagnosis at age 25, eventually brought him back home. He joined the East Catholic coaching staff alongside Coach Bushnell, Coach Bianchi, and Coach McOmber (now at Suffield HS). His love for the sport, his wisdom, and his spirit deeply impacted every player he mentored.

Though Bradley passed away in July 2024, his influence lives on. At the Project Purple game, Coach Bushnell shared heartfelt words at halftime, and in a powerful tribute, Bradley’s jersey #18 was officially retired and presented to his father and brother.



We are proud to support Project Purple’s mission to fight pancreatic cancer and proud to carry on Bradley’s legacy both on and off the field.

Tom Malin '65

On April 24th, we proudly celebrated Tom Malin as he was inducted into the CAS-CIAC Hall of Honor.

“Tom Malin’s tireless work as Athletic Director at East Catholic High School in Manchester (his alma mater) spanned from 1980 until his retirement in 2016. He also won two state championships as the East Catholic Head Boys Soccer Coach, and 12 state championships (still active) as the school’s head boys golf coach. Beyond East Catholic, Malin served in leadership roles for the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors, including as President. He served on multiple CIAC committees and as CIAC Tournament Director for Boys Golf and Tournament Director for Boys and Girls Soccer. Malin was awarded a Letter of Commendation from CAS in 2015.”

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Coach!

Please take a moment to watch the video presentation shared during the ceremony: Tom Malin - 2025 Hall of Honor

34th Annual Tom Malin Invitational

Calling all golfers! Friday, June 13th we'll be on the course at Blackledge Country Club and we want YOU to be there too!

Friday, June 13th

11:00 Registration and Lunch

1:00pm Shotgun Start

Cocktail, dinner, and awards to follow

This year the golf tournament honoree is Chris Malone '78!

All proceeds from the event go toward the purchase of an LED trailer and scoreboard for the lower field.

For information on registration or sponsorships, visit the event site: 2025 ECHS Tom Malin Eagle Golf Invitational

Class of 1975

It's time to celebrate the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1975!

Mark your calendars for:

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Urban Lodge Brewing Company

47 Purnell Place

Manchester, CT 06040

More information to come!

Class of 1965

Can you believe it's time to celebrate the 60th Reunion for the Class of 1965?!

Join us on Saturday, October 11, 2025

from 5:00-10:00pm

Hilton Garden Inn-Glastonbury

85 Glastonbury Boulevard

Glastonbury, CT 06033

More information to come!